The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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